Stoker



March 28, 1939. E. 'A. TURNER 2,152,510

. STOKER Filed Oct. 17, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Zfirc/zerTil/"2221" TTORNEY5 Mmh 28, 1939. E. A. TURNER 2,152,510

STOKER Filed Oct. 17, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 @0000 o \EQQQOOQ 0INVENTOR.

ZArcfier 111/1221" BY Zr/MW M v ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE STOKER ration of Delaware Application October 17,1936, Serial No. 106,071

10 Claims.

This invention relates to stokers which are adapted to feed through anopening in a furnace wall. More particularly, the invention is directedto an improved stoker for firing a loco- 5 motive boiler firebox throughthe usual handfiring opening in the firebox backwall.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a stokercomprising a fuel discharge and distributing unit mounted in acommunicating relation with the firing opening in the furnace wall, thesaid unit carrying a door rearward of the-distributor to form a closurefor the opening during normal operation of the stoker, said unitreceiving fuel from a delivery conduit and being pivoted about the axisthereof whereby said fuel discharge and distributing unit together withsaid door may be swung away from the firing opening to provide access tothe interior of the furnace.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a stokerhaving the above characteristics and in which the fuel distributingmeans extends into the lower portion of the firing opening, and the fueldischarge means includes a chute-like elbow mounted rearward of thebackwall and above said distributor meansfor guiding fuel thereto.

More specifically, it is also an object of this invention to soconstruct this chute that it may be readily removed from its operativeposition upon opening of said door whereby manual supply of fuel to saidfurnace direct, or to said distributing means may be effected throughthat portion of the firing opening above said distributing means.

It is also an object of this invention to provide fuel distributingmeans which is so related with the stoker of thedescribed constructionthat removal and replacement of the distributing means is readilyrendered, as will'appear when the following descriptionof the inventionis read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is ,a vertical section through-the firing opening of a furnaceshowing the invention in position. with parts thereof in similarsection;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 as viewedfrom a point rearward of the furnace;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line: 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the irregular line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view of the firing opening and associated parts of thestoker as viewed from the interior of the furnace;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the line fi-'6of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken ment thereof, is appliedto a locomotive L having a boiler II], the firebox or furnace I I and ahollow backwall I2 provided with a firing opening I3 above the cab deckI4. The firing opening I3 is of the usual elliptical form having a majoraxis of approximately twenty (20) inches and a minor axis ofapproximately sixteen (16) inches.

The stoker for supplying fuel into the firebox is indicated by S andcomp-rises an upright cylindrical conduit I5 extending from a pointbelow the cab deck I4 and terminating at one side of the firing openingI3 and below the plane of its lower edge. The cylindrical conduit I5 isrigidly secured to the backwall I2 by means of bolts such as I6 passingthrough the support bracket I.I. Immediately above the support bracketI? the conduit I5 is provided with a cylindrical extension I8. The meansfor urging fuel upwardly through the conduit I5 includes an elevatinghelical screw I9, the upper end of which terminates at one side of thefiring opening I3 above the horizontal plane passed along its majoraxis. The elevating screw I9 urges fuel upwardly through the conduit I5and into the conduit portion 20 of a fuel discharge and distributingunit A. At its lower end the conduit portion 20 is provided with acounterbored or rabbetted portion 2| which fits over the cylindricalextension I8 of the conduit I5 in a manner to provide a continuous joint"between these conduits and also for the purpose of permitting the unitA to swing about the axis of the conduit I5 as will presently appear.

The fuel discharge and distributing unit A comprises a frame element 22which embraces the elliptical firing opening I3. A curved'elbow 24extends inwardly from the upper end of the conduit portion 20 and opensinteriorly of the frame element 22. This elbow is adapted to guide thefuel laterally into the frame element as the fuel is elevated by thehelical screw I9. Atop the elbow 24 and in axial alignment with theconduits I5 and 20 there is formed a journal 25 received in a bearingmember 26 which is secured to the backwall I2 by means of bolts 5. Itwill be thus seen that the fuel discharge and distributing unit A ispivoted with respect to the backwall [2 at one side of the firingopening 13 by reason of the interfitted cylindrical extension l8 andcounterbore 2| and the journal 25 and bearing 26. I

The unit A also carries a fuel distributing means including a chamberedpressure fluid member 21 and a distributing table 28, the former beingsecured to the frame element 22 while the latter is detachablyinterfitted with the pressure fluid member 21 and is situated in thelower portion of the firing opening I3. Fuel which is guided into theframe element '22 by the elbow 24 is transfered into the zone of actionof the distributing means by a chute 9 which is adapted to direct fueldownwardly and laterally toward the center of the firing opening andthence inwardly toward the firebox by reason of its novel and peculiarconfiguration. This chute on its side remote from the. backwall .I 2includes a wall 29 which extends upwardly across the rear of the frameelement 22 in a manner to occupy the space in said frame element abovethe major axis of the firing opening and also at one side of the minoraxis thereof. 7

The frame element 22 also carries a door 30 which, during normaloperation of the stoker, forms a closure for the firing opening l3. Thedoor comprises a pair of sections 3|, 32 which are arranged for swingingmovement away from each other about their respective pivot pins 3m, 32a.Inasmuch as the construction of these doors is well known in the art,further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. It is believedsufiicient to say that these door sections may be manually operated bymeans of the lever 33 or by power means which includes a motor 34 and acontrol valve 35. The control valve 35 is rigidly secured to the frameelement 22 adjacent the conduit portion 29. The control valve 35includes a valve element 36 which is manually operable for supplyingpressure fluid to the motor 34 by means of the pipe 31. The means formanually operating the valve element 36 comprises a lever 38 pivoted at39 to the conduit 15 and being provided with a foot treadle 49 disposeda slight distance above the plane of the cab deck l4. Remote from thefoot treadle 40 and on the opposite side of the pivot 39 the lever 38 isprovided with an extension 4| which is operatively connected to the arm42 by an articulated link 43. The arm 42 is pivoted at 44 wherebydownward pressure on the foot treadle 40 raises the arm 42 to causecorresponding movement of the valve element 36 for admitting pressurefluid from the control valve 35 to the motor 34. Since the control valve35 is carried by the pivotally mounted unit A, the operating means forthe valve including the lever 38 and arm 42 is supported solely by theconduit l5 so that when the unit A is swung away from its positionagainst the backwall l2, the valve operating arrangement will remain inits original position. 7

It will be observed from Figs. 1, 3 and 5 that the fuel distributingmeans occupies the lower portion of the frame element 22 and firingopening 13. It is also apparent that the chute 9 also occupies aconsiderable portion of the frame element 22 above the distributingmeans. While this arrangement would not preclude inspection ofconditions within the firebox I I, upon opening the firedoor 30, theavailable space for making any manual adjustments to the fire is ratherrestricted by the chute 9. Therefore, this chute is so constructed thatit may be easily removed from its operative position whenever it is sodesired upon opening of the firedoor. In the present instance the frameelement 22 adjacent the inwardly opening portion of the elbow 24 isprovided with a pair of grooves 41 which extend from the outer end ofthe frame element toward the inner end thereof and which grooves areadapted to receive complementary shaped lugs 48 formed with the chute 9.

In order to assure that the chute 9 is properly positioned with respectto the elbow 24 the lower side of the former rests upon the uppersurface of the pressure fluid jet member 21 and a pair of headed dowelpins 49 are passed between the chute 9 and the member 21. These dowelpins 49 are easily removable and upon this being done the chute 9 may beslid rearwardly when the door 30 is opened, thereby providing sufficientspace in the frame element 22 above the upper surface of the jet member21 through which space fuel may be supplied manually into the firebox II, or through which space other adjustments of fire conditions may bemade.

The pressure fluid jet member 21 comprises a plurality of chambers 50which are arranged to discharge blasts of pressure fluid through jetapertures 5| disposed in a. plane above the upper surface of thedistributing table 28. The pressure of the fluid within each chamber 59is regulated by control valves 52, one for each passage. Each controlvalve 52 is interposed between a respective pressure fluid receivingchamber 50 and the pressure fluid intake passage 53. This passage 53opens outwardly in the plane of the rear edge of the frame element 22and is provided with a pressure fluid supply line 54 below the'firedoorsection 31. Since the jet member 21 is carried by the pivotally mountedfuel discharge and distributing unit A, the pressure fluid supply line54 is provided with a flexible hose portion 55, thereby renderingunnecessary the disconnection of the supply line 54 from the jet member21 when the fuel discharge and distributing unit A is swung away fromits position against the back- Wall l2. 7

The control valves 52 are each provided with a stem 56 and a handle 51which extend downwardly and rearwardly from the jet member 21 to a pointbelow the firedoor 39 and rearward of the frame element 22 whereby theyare conveniently located for manipulation by the stoker Operator. stems56 and handles 51 in no way interfere with the opening or closing of thefiredoor 30 and that they are further arranged in a manner which willrender easy the removal of jet member 21.

The jet member 21 is secured to the frame element 22 by bolts 69 whichpass through the upright flanges 6| at each side of the jet member.Whenever it is desired to remove the jet member 21 it is only necessaryto open the firedoor 30, loosen thecbolts 69 and draw the jet member 21rearwardly. Preferably this is done when the fuel discharge anddistributing element A is' swung away from its position adjacent thebackwall l2 in order that the distributing plate 28 which is interlockedwith the jet member 21 may first be removed. It is of course understoodthat chute 9 and thence withdrawing the distributing table 28 throughthe opening so formed. The jet member 21 may be drawn rearwardlybecause.

the valve stems 56 pass between the serrations 8 It is also apparentthat the valvev formed :in the lower rear wall 1 of the :frame element22. In order to exclude light rays from passing between the serrations:8, the lower portion of the door 30 :covers the upper portion of theseserrations while 'a baffle wall 6 (-Figs. 1 and 3) is adapted to-shieldthe lower portion'thereo'f.

From the description thus far it will be apparent thatsufficientprovision has beenmade for inspectingthe'fire conditionsand-alsof or making certain minor adjustments thereto. Occasional ly itis necessary for mechanics to gain entrance to the interior of thefirebox H for the purpose of inspecting the conditions of thefireboxsheets, tubes and grates. The space above the upper surface ofthe jet member '21 is not usually sufficient to permit such entranceinto the firebox. Therefore the fuel discharge and distributing unit Ais pivotally mounted about the axis of the conduit I5 as heretoforedescribed.

In order that the fuel discharge and distributing unit A may be swungaway from its position against the backwall l2 without removing anyessential part thereof it has been necessary to devise a noveldistributor plate 28. As shown in Fig. 4, the distributor plate 28includes an upper fuel supporting wall approximately semi-circular inshape and being provided in its semicircular portion with a pair of fueldeflectors 65 which are arranged to intercept a portion of the fuelprojected-over the upper wall-65 by the distributor member 21 causingthe fuel intercepted to be deflected to the rear corners of the fireboxll.

From an inspection of Fig. 4 it will be apparent that as the fueldischarge and distributing unit A is swung away from the backwall l2,the semicircular portion of the plate 28 will clear the lateral portionsof the backwall which define the firing opening I3. Upon swinging thefuel discharge and distributing unit A clear of the backwall I 2, thefiring opening I3 will be fully exposed, thereby permitting free accessto the interior of the firebox. The above described construction permitsremoval and renewal of the distributor plate 28, since upon swingingaway-the fuel discharge and distributing unit A the distributing table28 will be in a positionrearward of the backwall l2.

In order to firmly maintain the frame element 22 in a closing positionas'shown in the drawings, a manually operable latch device 10 isprovided which consists of a lug ll pivoted to the backwall upon a pin12 and having a wedgeshaped under side 13 arranged to engage acomplementary shaped wall M of the frame element 22 as clearly shown inFig. 8. Remote from the lug H a handle portion 15 is provided for themanual engagement o-r disengagement of the latch device TB and the framemember 22. It will be apparent from Fig. 8 that asthe lug'll is moveddownwardly, the Wedge-shaped under side '13 thereof firmly engages thesloping wall 14 of the frame element 22, thereby firmly looking the fueldischarge and distributing unit in its operative position with respectto the firebox backwall.

In the operation of this device, fuel delivered to the lower end of theconduit l5 by well known means is elevated by the helical screw l9 intothe conduit portion 20 of the fuel discharge and distributingv unit A.The elbow 24 cooperates with the helical screw 19 to cause a lateraldelivery of fuel into the frame element 22. Upon passing through theelbow .24, the fuel is urged .along thechuteS and thencerollsoverinfront of :the jet vmember 21 for distribution over :the

Inspection and minor adjustments of fire "condition may be:made byopening the :firedoor 30. In the event'that the delivery of fuel to thejet member 21 is .interrupted for some ,reason,-the firedoor. 30 may beopened, dowel pins 49 removed andthe chutefithence slid rearwardly awayfrom the frame element. This provides an opening above the jet member 2through which fuel may be supplied manually onto the distributor plate28 or directly-into the firebox H.

From the foregoing, those versed in the .art will readily understandthat by the described construction, a stoker has been provided whichincludes ,a fuel discharge and distributing unit arranged to embrace thefiring opening and which unit, while occupying a considerable portionofthe firing opening during normal operation of the stoker, is arranged topermit ready saidqconduit portion to said distributing means,

said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted withrespect to said furnace Wall to swing about the axis of said conduitportion away from the firing opening to leave said :opening entirelyexposed, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereofremote from said furnace wall.

.2. Incombination with afurnace'having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuelto said furnace comprising a fueldischarge and distributingunit, said unit'including a frame elementembracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side ofsaid'firing opening and arranged to communicate with said frame element,fuel distributing means carried by said frame element, a chute withinsaid frame element for guiding fuel from said conduit portion to saiddistributing means, said fuel discharge and distributing unit beingpivotally mounted with respect to said furnace wall to swing about theaxis of said conduitportion away fromthe firing opening to leave saidopening entirely exposed, and a door carried by said frame element onthe side thereof remote from said furnace wall.

3. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fueldischarge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame elementembracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of saidfiring opening and arranged to communicate with said frame element, fueldistributing means carried by said frameelement, a chute withinsaidframe element detachably connected thereto and being arranged to guidefuel from said conduit to said distributing means, said fuel dischargeand distributing means being pivotally mounted-with respect to saidfurnace wall to swing about the-axis of said conduit portion away fromthe firing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, and a doorcarried by saidframe element on the side thereof remote from saidfurnace wall, said chute being remov-- able from its position withinsaid frame element upon opening of said door.

4. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fueldischarge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame elementembracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of saidfiring opening and arranged to communicate with said frame element, fueldistributing means including a jet member carried by said frame elementarranged to project fuel into the furnace, a conveyor for urging fuelthrough said conduit portion, means for conducting fuel from saidconduit portion to said distributing means, said fuel discharge anddistributing unit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnacewall to swing about the axis of said conduit portion away from thefixing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, means forsupplying pressure fluid to said jet member including a flexible tube,and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote fromsaid furnace wall.

5. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fueldischarge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame elementembracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of saidfiring opening and arranged to communicate with said frame element, fueldistributing means including a jet member carried by said frame element,said jet member having an intake passage and a plurality of pressurefluid chambers arranged to receive fluid under pressure from saidpassage, a conveyor for urging fuel through said conduit portion, meansfor conducting fuel from said conduit portion to said distributingmeans, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mountedwith respect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of saidconduit portion, means for supplying pressure fluid to the passage ofsaid jet member, a plurality of valves in said jet member arranged tocontrol the flow of pressure fluid from said passage to said chambers,and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote fromsaid furnace wall, said valves each being provided with a manuallyoperable handle disposed rearward of said frame element and below saiddoor.

6. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising anupwardly extending conduit fixed with respect to said furnace wall andhaving its axis disposed at one side of said firing opening, a fueldischarge and distributing unit including a frame element embracing saidfiring opening, a conduit portion rigidly formed with said frame elementat one side of said firing opening seated upon said first named conduit,said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted aboutthe axis of said upwardly opening conduit to swing away from the firingopening to leave said opening entirely exposed, fuel distributing meanscarried by said frame element, a conveyor for urging fuel through saidconduit portion, means for conducting fuel from said conduit portion tosaid distributing means, a door carried by said frame element on theside thereof remote from said furnace wall, means for operating saiddoor, and a latch device arranged to engage said frame element formaintaining said fuel discharge and distributing unit in a positionagainst said furnace wall.

7. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising anupwardly extending conduit fixed with respect to said furnace wall andhaving its axis disposed at one side of said firing opening, a fueldischarge and distributing unit including a frame element embracing saidfiring opening, a conduit portion rigidly formed with said frame elementat one side of said firing opening seated upon said first named conduit,said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted aboutthe axis of said upwardly opening conduit, fuel distributing meanscarried by said frame element, a conveyor for urging fuel through saidconduit portion, means for conducting fuel from said conduit portion tosaid distributing means, a door carried by said frame element on theside thereof remote from said furnace wall, a pressure fluid actuatedmotor carried by said fuel discharge and distributing unit for operatingsaid door, a valve carried by said unit and being operable for admittingpressure fluid to said motor, and manually operable means carried bysaid upwardly extending conduit for actuating said valve.

8. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fueldischarge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame elementembracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of saidfiring opening and opening laterally toward the interior of said frameelement at a point above the lower half of said firing opening, fueldistributing means carried by said frame element at a level below theupper half of said firing opening, a conveyor for urging fuel throughsaid conduit portion, means for conducting fuel from said conduitportion to said distributing means, said fuel discharge and distributingunit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnace wall to swingabout the axis of said conduit portion away from the firing opening toleave said opening entirely exposed, and a door carried by said frameelement on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall.

9. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fueldischarge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame elementembracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of saidfiring opening and opening laterally through said frame element andtoward the interior of such frame element at a point above the lowerhalf of said firing opening,

fuel distributing means carried by said frame element at a level belowthe upper half of said firing opening, a chute Within said frame elementfor guiding fuel from said conduit portion to said distributing means,said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted withrespect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of said conduitportion away from the firing opening to leave said opening entirelyexposed, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereofremote from said furnace wall.

10. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing openingtherein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fueldischarge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame elementembracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of saidfiring opening and opening laterally through saidframe (ill element andtoward the interior of such frame element at a point above the lowerhalf of said firing opening, fuel distributing means carried by saidframe element at a level below the upper half of said firing opening, achute within said frame element detachably connected thereto and beingarranged to guide fuel from said conduit to said distributing means,said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted withrespect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of said conduitportion away from the firing opening to leave said opening entirelyexposed, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereofremote from said furnace wall, said chute being removable from itsposition within said frame element upon opening of said door.

E. ARCHER TURNER.

